Little Peach Staff

As a speech therapist, I’m not just listening for a child’s first words; I’m looking for the skills that emerge before those words. These are called prelinguistic skills; they help lay the foundation for meaningful communication and interactions. Here are 5 skills I look for in children before expecting them to use verbal communication: Responding to Environmental Events Communication begins with noticing what is happening around us. When your child is able to consistently react to the...

There are two ways to process and develop language. The first is “Analytical Language Processors”. Analytical language processors develop language using a “bottom-up” method of language learning, where a child will start with single words that build up to phrases, sentences, and full conversations. Gestalt Language Processing (Natural Language Acquisition) is a “top-down” approach where, instead of a child starting with single words, the child will use scripts they hear in their environment....

There is something really special about sharing a book with your child, snuggling close, turning the pages together, and discovering a new favorite tradition. But shared book reading is more than a cozy step in their night routine; it is also a powerful opportunity to support your child’s language acquisition. As your child reads a book, they are expanding their ability to listen, understand, and express ideas. Some key benefits of shared reading include: Joint Attention: Joint attention...